Curator’s statement
Denmark's capital offers travelers beauty, history, walkability, and refined culture at every turn. As a city that prides itself on safety and sustainability, you'll find that everywhere you go is well maintained and welcoming. Although it's known as one of the more expensive European capitals, there are plenty of ways to enjoy what this Nordic capital has to offer for free or on a budget.
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Free things to do in Copenhagen
Nyhavn's spectacular scenery on a sunny day
Visit Freetown Christiania
Copenhagen’s self-governing commune is situated in the heart of the city and has plenty to offer by way of handmade art, small bites, a beer garden, and more. Explore by bike or foot and get to know an alternative side of the city.
Rent a bike and explore the city and biking trails
The city's famous cycling culture is evident in its dedicated lanes, traffic lights, and numerous biking trails in and around the city. Shorter-term or longer term rental options are available through apps such as Donkey Bike.
Witness the changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace is the city residence of the Danish royal family. Situated on a square and surrounded by four lovely Rococo palaces, you can wander the square and see the changing of the guard daily between 11:30 am and 12 pm.
Climb up CopenHill
The renowned Amager Bakke isn’t your run-of-the-mill waste management facility–it also boasts a ski slope, a climbing wall, and hiking trails, while converting waste into energy. Although these recreational activities will cost extra, you can visit the facility and walk around the ski area for free!
Explore Nyhavn and sit and on the water
Copenhagen’s iconic waterfront district offers scenic views of the water and canals with a backsplash of colorful townhouses, wooden ships, and upbeat restaurants and cafes.
Visit the botanical garden
Immerse yourself in outstanding nature right in Copenhagen's city center. You can wander through thousands of species of plants, many of which are Danish.
Places to eat & drink in Copenhagen
We enjoyed cozy tomato soup, hearty bread, and vegan "fried chicken" made of mushrooms.
Bistro Verde
A vegan bistro in the heart of the city with delicious comfort food on offer.
Acacia
This vegan spot serves brunch all day and is a plant-based foodie's haven.
Morgenstedet
Morgenstedet is an affordable vegetarian joint in the heart of Christiania with hearty plates and a colorful outdoor garden.
Jagger
If you're craving a good burger, you'll find this chain dotted around the city.
Bagelicious
Check out this bagel joint in the Nørrebro district for a Danish take on bagels, sandwiches, and tasty drinks.
Need to know
Make sure you have cash on hand, just in case.
Card payments are widely accepted in the city, but it doesn't hurt to keep some cash on hand. Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK), which you can get either before you go or while you're there. I recommend using foreign currency exchange or the Revolut app. As far as tipping culture goes, it's not expected, but you can round up for good service.
Be mindful of the traffic laws for bikes.
Copenhagen is a cycling city with dedicated lanes, plenty of areas to park bikes, and trails galore. That being said, cyclists must abide by traffic laws specifically for bicycles—try to learn the traffic rules before you hop on a bike for the first time, and ask locals if you're ever unsure about etiquette!
Utilize DSB, the Copenhagen public transport app.
Public transport in Copenhagen is simple and reliable. Download the DSB app on your smartphone to plan your trips, look at maps, and book tickets.
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Copenhagen page.